Variator.



No. 753,754. PATENTBD MAR. "1, 1904.

W. C. ANDREWS, DECD.

G. o. sT. JOHN. LxLoUToR.

- VARIATOR. APPLIUATION FILED '111113. 1902.

No MODEL. 5 SHEETS-SHEET 1..

' WV M l Y Il Q Q I l ma mams Prrmco.. mgm-umn., wAsNmaTon n c N0 MODEL.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

:,Ihmlil H-IIII No. 753,754. PATENTBD MAR. 1, 1904.

w. o. ANDREWS, DEG'D;

G. 0. ST. JOHN, BXEOUTOB.

VARIATOR APPLICATION FILED JULY 3, 1902.` N0 MODEL. 5 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

PATENTED MAR. 1, 1904.

W. C. ANDREWS, DEGD. G. o. sT. JOHN. B XBoUToR. VARIATOR. APPLIoATloNFILED JULY s, 1902.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

N0 MODEL.

WJTNESSES.-

PM 0 M N0. 753,754. PATBNTBDMAR, 1, 1904.- y

W. o. ANDREWS, DBCD. G. 0. ST. JOHN, EXEUTOR.

VARIATOL APPLIUATION FILED JULY 3, i902.

No MODEL. `5 SHEETS-SHEET 5.

yIO

UNITED' STATES Patented March 1, 1904.

PATENT OFFICE.

GAMAIJIEL C. ST. lJOHN, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., EXEGUTOR OF WALLACE C.ANDREWS, DEOEASED.

` vARlAToR.

SPECIFICATION forming' part of Letters Patent No. 753,754, dated March1, 1904.

j Application lled'Jnly 3, 1902. Serial No. 114,323. (No model.)

T0 all whom if may concern:

Be it known that WALLACE C. ANDREWS, deceased, late a citizen of theUnited States, and a resident of the city of New York, in the countyandState of New York, did in his lifetime invent a new and usefulImprovement in Variators; and as executor of his last Will and testamentI do hereby declare the following to be a full clear, and exactdescription of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in theart to which it appertains to make and use the same. This inventionrelates to packingless variators..

The object is in underground pipe-lines used for conveying steam from acentral station or point of generation to different parts of a city forheat and power and Without the employment of slip-joints andstuing-boxes requiring frequent packing to provide thorough and adequateprotection against leakage caused by ruptures and breaks in the pipesdue to constantly-varying strains, both lateral and longitudinal,arising from the effects of alternate expansion and contraction and thevariations in the pressure and temperature of the steam passingtherethrough; furthermore, to dispense with the employment of manholesat intervals along a pipe-line and to obviate the necessity of frequenttearing up of pavements for the purpose of packing the joints, resultingin serious delays and interruption of traffic, as well as the incurrenceof heavy expense, and to provide efiicient means for relieving a main orpipe of`any water of condensation which might prove injurious in partsof the line and, if desired, run this water into another pipe to be usedeither for heating or for other domestic purposes'or for return tofeed-water heater o r the boiler or Vboilers furnishing the steam and,finally, lto

furnish a satisfactory place for making service connections from a iixedpoint in the mains to buildings to be furnished with steam.

Brieiiy stated, the variator characterized A by this invention comprisesa case constituting one portion ,of the device `which in use will bestationary and two necks or slips constituting the other portion of thedevice connected with the case in a flexible manner by diaphragm ordiaphragms, preferably of copper, and composing, respectively, an inletmember and an outlet member which in use will be movable with relationto the casethat is to say, will move to and from the case under theaction of various temperatures. Y A main or pipe is connected with theouter end of each slip, and by the arrangementof parts of the' variatoran uninterrupted passage is provided through-the two sections of pipe.

It is to be understood that there will be one of these variators atspecified distances in a pipe-line providing for expansion in bothdirections 'from fixed points a given distance away, and as theoperation of each is the same the specific description hereinafter givenof one variator will serve for all.

As stated, the necks or slips are adapted for movement to and from thecase,` and in order that there may be no rupture of the line it isessential that provision should be made to compensate for the variationsin the lengths of the pipe, due to changes in the temperature, and alsoto preclude the possibility of a leak occurring at the point where thepipesections join the variators. To accomplish this result, twodiaphragms are employed, which are interposed between the periphery ofthe necksand the inner walls of the case and are fixed with relation tothe two partsthat.is to say, are clamped in place in such manner betweenthe parts of the case and the parts of the two'slips .as to preventescape of steam. The diaphragms perform a function additional to thatusually -conned to such part in that aside from the expanding andcontracting under various conditions of pressure for the sole purpose ofcompensating for variations in the lengths of two pieces of connectedpipe they also prevent escape of steam from the interior of thevariator. In conjunction with the diaphragms a plurality ofradially-disposed plates are employed, being arranged in such manner asto sustain the necks or slips in diaphragms in position for effectivework. These plates serve not only to reinforce the diaphragms, but alsoto sustain the necks in such manner as to permit them to move to andfrom the case, and in order that the diaphragms may not be restricted inthe scope of their usefulness they are preferably corrugated, and thesecorrugations will yield in accordance with the various lengths assumedby the pipes.

In addition to the parts already named a thimble or guide is provided(which may be in the nature of a tube or ange) that projects inward fromthe inlet-slip, this thimble or guide operating to bridge the spacebetween the inner opposed ends of the two necks or slips, and thus toprevent any water of condensation or what is known as a slug7 of waterfrom interfering with the operation of the diaphragms. The guideprojects beyond the inner terminal end of the outlet-slip at a pointwhere the diaphragm is secured in position, so that the iiow of steamand water will be carried through the necks or slips and into the main.aThe upper half, more or less, of this guide is provided with suitableopenings, through which steam may pass into the case; but the lowerhalf, more or less, is unperforated, so that water of condensation willbe prevented from suddenly accumulating in the lower half of the case.-

To remove any water of condensation that may accumulate in the pipe-lineand be carried into the variator-case or to furnish steam to anybuilding, the case on each side is provided with an outlet or withoutlets, in which pipes may be tapped, if desired, to remove water orsupply-steam, a pipe or pipes conveying such water or steam away to aplace of use for heating or other purposes or to carry back water ofcondensation to the -boilers whence the steam is suppled. ,Y

By arranging the diaphragms and supporting or reinforcing the plates inthe manner described the slips will be free to have proper play tocompensate for the different lengths of the pipe under differenttemperatures, and the variator as a whole will be thoroughly efficientfor performing the functions for which it is designed.

Further and more specic details of construction will be hereinafterfully described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, andin which like letters of reference indicate corresponding parts, thereis illustrated a form of embodiment of the invention, it beingunderstood that other forms of embodiment thereof may be employedwithout departing from the spirit of the same.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a view in Vertical longitudinal section,showing the variators applied along a pipe-main. Fig. 2 is a View inplan showing the method in connecting variators in line. Fig. 3 is aview-showing the arrangement of reinforcing-plates in the upper half ofthe case, those in the lower half being shown as covered by thediaphragm.

Fig. 4. is a partial sectional view showing clearly the method ofsecuring or clamping the diaphragm and also shows the relative positionof the reinforcing-plates with respect to the diaphragms and the outerportion of the case or shell. Fig. 5 is a view, partly in section, ofthe inner ring or annulus, showing 'the method of providing forservice-openings or openings for the removal of the water ofcondensation where necessary in connection with steam-mains. Fig. 6 is avertical longitudinal section of a double variator.

Referring to the drawings, A designates the variator comprising aca-seor shell A2, an inlet member or neck A3, and an outlet member or neckA4. The case or shell A2 consists of a rim or annulus a and two head orcover plates a2, the latter being clamped or bolted securely to the rimor annulus by bolts as. Eachend or cover is provided with a centralopening of a size to accommodate the outer portions of the two slips A3and A4, each of these slips being provided with a circumferential flangea5 to engage with the wall of the opening to guide the necks. Each neckhas at its outer end a fiange a, to which is bolted a companion flangea7, these companion flanges being interiorly screw-threaded for thereception of the inner ends of the sections of pipe B. Bolted to theinner face of the inlet-slip is a thimble or guide A5, the samecomprising an annulus provided in its upper half with steamdischargeopenings as. This thimble or guide projects to or past the opposing faceof the outlet-slip, so that a continuous passage is formed through thevariator, thus to prevent water from suddenly accumulating in largequanti- IOO ties in the variator-case, while the steam-dis chargeopenings cts will permit a steady discharge of steam to take placewithin the interior of the variator-case, thus to keep the whole lineunder an equal temperature and pressure and to provide for tapping olfthe steam. The opposed faces of the two slips are provided with exteriorincuts a and al, and the heads or cover-plates a2 are interiorly incutat a and w12. The thimble or guide A5 and the annulus or ring L13 areinteriorly incut to correspond with the incuts al on the necks or slips.The middle shell or ring a is exteriorly incut to fit the incuts a. Theincuts a, serve to center the annulus @wand the guide or thimble A5 inrelation to the inlet and outlet slips A8 and A4. The incuts am serve tocenter the heads or covers a2 in relation to the middle ring or shell a.The incuts am and al also serve to center, respectively, the exteriorand interior circumferences of the diaphragms AG in relation to theshell or casing A2 and the necks or slips A3 and A4.

The thimble A is bolted to the neck A, and the annulus w13 is bolted tothe neck a4. rlhe covers a2 are bolted through the shell a by bolts (t3,which serve to bolt the diaphragms at their circumference between theshell and IIO the covers, respectively. The outer circumference of thethimble or guide A5 and the annulus L13 project beyondthe faces of theirrespectively-opposed necks or slips suiiieiently to form an exterior'circumferential groove. Similar interior circumferential grooves areformed when the heads or covers a2 are bolted or clamped to the middlering `or shell a of the case A2. These grooves constitute a housing forthe reinforcing-plates A7. The reinforcing-plates are approximatelykeystone in shape and when placed in position, as shown in Fig. 3, theedges of these plates radiate from a common center and serve tostrengthen the diaphragms in resisting internal pressure. It isunderstood that the assemblage of the reinforcing-plates A7 in relationto their retaining-grooves is such that any displacement is entirelyobviated, and free movement of the necks or slips- A3 and A4 will alwaysbe permitted for the purpose desired. Between theseplates A7, near eachend, pins al, Fig. 3, are held in the incuts a and tu of the headplatet2 and necks A3 and A4 to prevent friction between the paralleling edgesof the plates A2.

The middle ring or shell a of the case A2 is provided with openings a oneach side, top, and bottom, these several openings being screw-threadedinternally to permit a pipe being tapped therein. This is clearly shownin Fig. 5. These openings a may serve for the purpose of supplying steamor other commodity for heat, power, &c., may permit the removal of waterof condensation where necessary in case of steam-mains, may connect withhot-water heaters, or may lead back to boilers.

The foregoing description applies to a variator with two diaphragms,constituting a double variator; but it is understood that avariator withbut one diaphragm may be constructed, as shown in Fig. l, B constitutinga single variator. This variator is identical with the doublevariator inone half and performs the same function. The other half of the singlevariator A8 (which may be of one homologous casting where in use)l isinclosed in such manner as to prevent any movement whatever. This coveror head A8 is clamped to the cover or head a2 of the variator in suchmanner as to hold the outer `rim of the diaphragm securely, and thusperforms the function of the middle shell or ring a in the doublevariator. This head or cover A8' is provided with openings 61,15, whichare arranged in a similar manner with regard to the center line of thesteam-main and perform functions indentical with the openings a of thedouble variator.

Where mains for conveying steam are laid underground, they are to besuitably incased in masonry, conduit, or casing of suitable constructionto prevent loss of heat by radiation and to protect them from damage. Atintervals along the mains where the variators'ocy secured to the headso2 on each side, thereby holding the casing against longitudinalmovement.

When the parts of the variator are assembled for use, the slips or necksare drawn out so that the diaphragms are out of plumb, as shown, to adegree practically equivalent to one-half the full expansion thepipewill ever make under the highest degree of heat, so that when thepipe is subjected to the highest degree of heat and the pipes beingextended to their fullest extent the diaphragms will then be practicallyin the same relative condition as before expansion took place; but theposition of the diaphragms will be beyond the plumb-line practically thesame distance as they were ahead of the plumb-line before expansion.

It is understoody that this invention is not to be limited to apipe-line for conveying steam, as it may be employed for conveying anyfluid or gas desired.

Having thus fully described the invention, what is claimed as new, anddesired to have secured by Letters Patent, is*- 1. In a variator, thecombination of a pipev end, a Acasing having an axial movement on thepipe end, a diaphragm supported between the said members and arranged topermit saidv axial movement, and a reinforcing member also supportedbetween said members and thereby retained in engagement with the movablediaphragm, substantially as described.

2. In a variator, the combination of a pipe end, a casing having anaxial movement on the pipe end, a diaphragm supported between saidmembers and arranged to permit said axial movement, and reinforcingmembers loosely supported in said members and thereby retained inengagement with the movable diaphragm, substantially as described.

3. In a variator, the combination of a pipe end, a casing having anaxial movement on the pipe end, an annular diaphragm secured at itsperiphery to the casing and at its inner edge to the pipe end, andarranged to permit said axial movement, and reinforcing members looselysupported in said members and thereby retained in engagement with themovable diaphragm, substantially as described.

4. In a variator, the combination of a pipe end, a casing having anaxial movement on the pipe end, an annular corrugated diaphragm securedat its periphery to the casing and at its inner edge to the pipe endandarranged to y permit said axial movement, and radial reinforcingmembers loosely socketed in said members and thereby retained inengagement with the diaphragm, substantially as described.

IOO

IIO

IZO

ISO

5. In a variator, the combination of a casing, a pair of pipe ends eachhaving an axial movement on the casing, a diaphragm supported betweeneach pipe end and the easing, and a reinforcing member supported betweeneach pipe end and the casing and thereby retained in engagement with theadjacent diaphragm, substantially as described.

6. 1n a variator, the combination of a casing, a pair of pipe ends each,having an axial movement on the casing, an annular corrugated diaphragmsecured at its periphery to the casing and at its inner edge to one pipeend, radial reinforcing members loosely socketed in said support in thesaid members and thereby retained in engagement with the diaphragm, asecond annular diaphragm secured at its periphery to the casing and atits inner edge to the other pipe end, and radial reinforcing membersloosely supported in said members and thereby retained in engagementwith the second diaphragm, substantially as described.

7. A variator comprising a casing, an inletpipe end and an outlet-pipeend supported therein for reciprocatory movement, diay phragms confinedbetween the casing and the other of said pipe ends, said guardconstructed with apertures along its upper portion and communicatingbetween said diaphragme, substantially as described. i

In witness whereof I aiiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

GAMALIEL CST. JOHN, Erz/cutoff 0f t/w estate of life/,Nace (j. An-

drei/1.51, deceased.

Witnesses:

GEO. S. BErrH, J'r., ALFRED E. SMITH.

